Thursday NBA Games Betting Odds: Minnesota vs. Denver

For most of the season Minnesota was looking certain to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004. However, an injury to Jimmy Butler has put a threat to that bid. Butler has been out several weeks with a knee injury. He has a chance to return Thursday night. The Timberwolves hold just a one game lead for the final playoff spot. Butler cannot return fast enough to save their season. Denver is not a popular NBA games betting odds commodity. Yet they are just a game out of the final Western Conference playoff spot.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets

Date and Time: Thursday, April 5, 2018, 10:30 p.m. Eastern

Location: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

NBA Betting Online Odds at SBG:

Team

Spread

Total

Timberwolves

+5 (-110)

223½ (-110)

Nuggets

-5 (-110)

223½ (-110)

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets TV Coverage: TNT

Denver

Denver has been in the black for four of their last seven games. They have gone under the total in just two of their last eight games. Straight up Denver has won three in a row. Offense is the Nuggets strength with the NBA games betting odds. Denver ranks sixth in the NBA for scoring. Offsetting that is a defense that ranks 24th in the NBA. Head coach Michael Malone operates in relative obscurity. Yet he deserves credit for much of Denver’s resurgence. Malone has gotten more out of the Nuggets than the total sum of their parts.

Minnesota

Minnesota has been gushing red ink with just one payout in their last nine games. Over the total has paid in seven of their last ten tilts. Away game betting value has been terrible for the Wolves. They have come away with the money in just 15 of 39 road outings. Offensively Minnesota ranks seventh in the NBA. Much of that was built up before the injury to Butler however. Defensively they rank 18th in the Association.

Big Names on Court

Karl Anthony Towns has tried to fill the Wolves void in Butler’s absence. Towns is averaging 21 points and 12 rebounds per game. Andrew Wiggins has also chipped in with 18 points per outing. Butler was leading the team with 22 points per tilt. Denver center Nikola Jokic leads with 18 points per game. Guard Garry Harris matches that average for the Nuggets.

Team vs. Team

Minnesota has beat the online sportsbook in two of their last three vs. Denver. The last two meetings in this series went over the total. The Wolves have covered the spread in six of their last seven games at Denver. Three of the last five in this series at Denver went under the number. Minnesota leads Denver by a single game for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. Reality dictates this is a virtual play-in game as a result. Butler remains questionable with a bad knee for Minnesota.

Matchup to Watch

Despite Minnesota’s profitability at Denver their recent form is worrisome. Even if Butler returns questions remains how effective he will be. Denver is in top form with NBA games betting odds. Their offense should find plenty of opportunities vs. the subpar Wolves defense.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets NBA games Betting Odds Picks

Denver is providing superior value and stability. As a result, the Nuggets are the pick!